2.15.2016

2016 Los Angeles Community Day of Remembrance

Saturday, February 20 at the Japanese American National Museum

If you are in Southern California, the Japanese American National Museum invites you to join them for the 2016 Los Angeles Community Day of Remembrance, the annual commemoration of President Franklin Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forcible removal and incarceration of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II.

In light of recent events, this year's Day of Remembrance program will focus on Islamophobia and the backlash Muslim Americans have faced following terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernadino, exploring parallels between the experiences of those groups and that of Japanese Americans during World War II.

It's happening Saturday, February 20 at the Japanese American National Museum. Here are more details:

2016 Community Day of Remembrance - Is It 1942 Again? Overcoming Our Fears and Upholding Constitutional Rights for All

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, making it possible for the U.S. military to forcibly remove and incarcerate 120,000 Japanese Americans solely on the basis of race. Each year, communities across the country hold Day of Remembrance programs to recall this shameful chapter in U.S. history and honor the courage and perseverance of the Japanese Americans who were incarcerated.

Our history reminds us how fear and prejudice can threaten the civil liberties of all people. Recently, Muslim Americans and refugees seeking to enter the U.S. have faced a backlash following terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino. This year’s program will explore parallels between the experiences of those groups and that of Japanese Americans during World War II. Light reception to follow.

JANM is proud to present the 2016 Los Angeles Community Day of Remembrance in partnership with the Japanese American Citizens League–Pacific Southwest District, Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress, and the Manzanar Committee.